Keywords: Nazca - Lobster Effigy Vessel - Walters 20092055 - Side A.jpg The coast of Peru is bathed in the Humboldt Current which sweeps cold water from the Antarctic along the South American coast and northwards to Mexico and the Pacific Northwest Rich in plankton and other marine animals the Humboldt Current supports one of the world's most fertile fishing grounds Early Andean peoples harvested its bounty with fish and shellfish being a primary source of protein not only for coastal peoples but also those in the highlands This lobster effigy vessel with its small bridge-spout handle typical of Nasca ceramics is a masterful example of the ceramic effigy vessel form AD 300-600 Early Intermediate Phases IIII-IV earthenware slip paint H 5 5/16 x L 9 1/2 x W 4 1/8 in 13 49 x 24 13 x 10 41 cm accession number 2009 20 55 80210 Economos Works of Art date and mode of acquisition unknown John G Bourne 1990s by purchase Walters Art Museum Gift of John Bourne 2009 place of origin South Coast Walters Art Museum license Pre-Columbian art in the Walters Art Museum Nazca double spouted ceramic vessels Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review Nazca ceramic effigy vessels |